I decided to try a float valve, with a battery operated air pump to top off the aquarium. Since I top off approx. 1 gallon of water a week I need a larger reservoir, so I had to come up with a different plan from the the last top off I posted here. Here are some pictures of the top off that I am trying now.
Battery Operated air pump
Inside the air pump
Air pump wired to float valve
I cut the wire that was on the positive terminals and spliced the wires from the float valve. Now it will act like a simple on off switch.
Float valve wired to the air pump
bracket made by bending acrylic
I made the brackets from acrylic that I cut to size then heated and bent them as needed. I used acrylic glue weld-on to glue the brackets to the tank.
Float valve
return line bracket made by heating and bending acrylic
With the return bracket I had to make a small tunnel out of the acrylic to hold the hose line steady. the friction from the hose pushing against the bracket is all it needs to hold it in place.
Airline tubing is water return line
